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A FEW POEMS 



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BY A^,v^o**^'^'t>^ '*^^ 



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WASHINGTON, D. C. 



75/3^7 



Entered according to an Act of Congress, in the year 1894, by 
Varnum D. Collins, at Washington, D. C. 



BY PERMISSION, 

THIS 

« 

SMAI,L VOLUME OF POEMS 

IS 

RESPECTFUI.I.Y DEDICATED 

TO THE 

Hon. Iiorrm ^. ®:itur$tont 

THE 

HAWAIIAN MINISTER 

TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ; 

IN THE FAMII^Y OF WHOSE GRAND-PARENTS, 

(THE FIRST CHRISTIAN TEACHERS TO THE ISIvANDS,) 

AT 

KAII^UA, HAWAII, 

THE AUTHOR 

SPENT MANY HAPPY DAYS. 



PREF^ACE. 



The following poems, selected from a large number, recited 
on the platform or contributed to the press, may interest some 
readers. 

The writer has twice visited Hawaii ; view^ed all her great 
extinct craters, active volcanoes, and other physical wonders ; 
spent many pleasant days among her earlier missionaries ; seen 
much of their work, and the later Christian, and other civiliza- 
tion of the islands. 

He resided in Washington before, and during the first years 
of the Civil War ; so that the poem on the Capitol describes 
much of what he actually saw and experienced. 

He has also spent nearly twenty years in China, mingled much 
among her people, and been a diligent student of her literature 
and life. The following original metrical paraphrases of a few 
of her classical odes,based almost entirely on the labors of Chinese 
scholars, are presented as giving a fair idea of the scope, power, 
and purity of Chinese poetry, as well as a true expression of 
Chinese sentiment and belief. 

Chinese literature, in the opinion of the undersigned, is gener- 
ally very much underestimated, as are all the great elements of 
her enduring civilization. Most writers on the ancient sources 
of philosophy, ethics, political economy, and religion, either 
ignore China altogether, or treat her contribution to human 
thought with indifference, levity, ridicule, or contempt, as 
unworthy of serious study. Probably owing to the great diffi- 
culty of examining her literature, locked up for the most part 



in her written characters, the time has not yet arrived to do her 
justice. Certainly Lau-tsze, the founder of Taoism, 604 B. C, 
was one of the earliest, greatest, and most original Philoso- 
phers of the world — anticipating Plato in the doctrine of the 
Divine Logos by over two hundred years ; and yet how little is 
he recognized or known ! 

The Odes of China, of which only a few specimens are here 
given, from the She-King, or book of odes, have come down to 
us from a very remote antiquity, their authors entirely unknown ; 
but they have ever held their supreme place in the Empire, 
touching, swaying, and moulding more human hearts than all 
other literature put together. They were memorized and recited , 
or sung, at religious and other festivals, in social and private 
life, throughout the various Feudal States, long before the birth 
of Christ ; and it was not until as late as 525 B. C that Con- 
fucius travelled throughout the country, collected, classified, and 
edited many of these odes, and made them the great civilizing 
power both for rulers and people. 

It is not claimed that these odes possess great intellectual 
force or deep poetic power, . They are generally very simple, 
but suggestive, in thought and in construction and repetition 
of parts not unlike Western ballads, and well suited to the 
common mind, though many of the similes, names, and refer- 
ences often make it difficult to render them into agreeable 
English. These poems, however, in the Chinese characters, are 
exceedingly polished in versification .and expression, and are 
regarded by scholars as models of literary style. 

Their chief claims to our consideration are, their acknowl- 
edged antiquity^their often deeply religious character — their 
expressions of spiritual, social and domestic law — their moral 
purity — their exhibition of early Chinese customs, sentiments, 
and habits, and their subtle and long-continued power over so 
many million minds. 



The foregoing statement may be applied, in many respects, 
to the mission of these odes to-day. They are still one of the 
text books of China ; studied, memorized, recited, and sung, 
like the best sacred and social lyrics of modern and western 
lauds. 

To properly estimate the value of these odes, it must be con- 
stantly borne in mind that they were composed in the Golden 
Age of China, when men lived close to nature and to heaven ,^ 
but with no direct divine intercourse with God, as claimed by 
the Hebrew race ; and with no concentrated culture, drawn from 
all lands, as exhibited in the schools of Athens and Alexandria. 

All these considerations make the odes of China supremely 
interesting as a study of original thought ; and if the few selec- 
tions offered give the reader a better understanding of one of 
the great forces of Chinese civilization, the undersigned will be 
satisfied. 

Varnum D. Coluns. 

2T55 Iv vSt. N. W., Washington, D. C 



Ta5le of Contents. 



Page 

Hawaii; a poem descriptive, historical, and prophetic i 

A Woman's Lament ; a poem written against the morals of 

~ the Age 22 

The B1.1ND Musicians of Chow 56 

A FestaIv Ode ; sung in honor of Fuedal Princes and Ministers 

of State 72 

A Picture of Husbandry ; one of the earliest pastoral poems 

of the world 29 

The Plaint of a Rejected and Supplanted Wife ; a 

poem against Polygamy 32 

Friendship under Changed Circumstances 28 

King Seuen's Palace ; type of Chinese home, and domestic 

relations 25 

MiSGOVERNMENT AND ITS RESULTS 34 

Heaven's Appointment of King Wan ; and overthrow of 

the Shang Dynasty, 1122 B. C 37 

The Legend of How-tseih ; his incarnation, labors and 

apotheosis 40 

King Seuen's Flocks and Herds; a pastoral ode 45 

A Maiden Lady's Confession and Appeal 48 

Love's Preference 47 

King Seuen's Soliloquy 49 

Seuen Keang : princess and young widow. Ode on her beauty, 

costume, and incontinence 50 

King WAN'S Long Sought Bride 51 

Che-wang Keang; a celebrated Court Beauty 52 

A Maiden's Danger ; ode sung by girls, in the silk-worm 

district 54 

Chinese Young Man of Rank 55 

King Wan's Young Queen ; ode to industry, obedience, and 

filial love 

Taesze, The Southern Queen; a song of the harem 58 

Girlhood Recollections and Regrets 63 

Teachers' Advice to Pupils ; from a Chinese stand point 59 

The Drought; a pagan's expostulation with Heaven 64 

The Bells of Princeton; a poem to memory 73 

The World's Three Great Bells 68 

The Capitol ; a poem historical and patriotic 75 



Hawaii. 



FAR out upon the pathless deep, 
Where mountains tall, now greet our eyes, 
Where days and seas pacific keep 
And Nature owns a Paradise 
Enhanced by Art — by tillage most, 
Till rock-plains bloom beyond all boast 
In fields of Cane that smiling rise 
From moisture, brought in skilful guise — 
There, once, for many Ages o'er. 
The trade- winds freel}' blew, and ran. 
Moon-drawn, unvexed by any shore, 
The tides, since time and tides began ! 

But when, late -born, in Heaven's plan, 
An Island-world should rise for man. 
Deep down, on ocean's ancient bed, 
Two thousand fathoms by the lead — 
On under-side the Realm of Heat, 
Where Pluto holds, t'is said, his seat — 
There, shocks titanic throbbed and beat 
With force divine, when mighty streams 
Of pent-up lava burst the beams 
And ribs of earth ; then, mid dense dun 
Of clouds and smoke, and voice of God- 



Louder than made quaked Sinai nod, 
The waters heave and boil and run 
Before the hissing dragon's head, 
Which, breathing flames and rocks fused red 
liy hidden fires, i ow seeks the sun ! 

'I'hen, o'er this sea, for years untold, 
Their flags, tlie fierce volcanoes flung 
()[ flame and smoke aloft; and rolled 
From out their awful mouths among. 
The burning marl, like molten gold I 
iJownward, quick-spreading o'er their sides — 
iiut touched by rains and winds more cold — 
The mighty mass, all checks o'er rides, 
And slowly colors, cools, and wanes 
In heat, monientutn — then remains 
Moulded in glassy waves, or hung 
In avalanches, well nigh sprung. 
Or fissures, vales, caves, peaks, and plains I 
Meanwhile, unnumbered earthquakes joined 
To rock old ocean's sunless caves — 
Where Night and Silence, ages reigned — 
And roll to distant shores, the tidal waves ! 

Thus, age on age, the Islands grew 

In height and bulk and varied forms ! 

Arounrl them fell and rose, the tides ; 

And charged with moisture, 'gainst their sides, 

The wondrous trade-winds steady blew ; 

While cinders, ashes, rained in storms. 



3 

With lava flows; and coral cells, 

And driftage o'er the mi[^hty main 

From shores and isles and distant seas, 

By currents from antipodes ; 

While birds, and swimnn'ng creatures; shells, 

And sun and air, and copious rain, 

And meteoric dust, and germs 

From far-off continents ; and sperms 

Of ocean life ; and salt sea foam, 

rjr, what, of else, might hither roam, 

All helped to stock these barren Isles 

With seeds of life, till Nature smiles, 

And valleys, shores, anrl plains become 

In tropic wealth, man's destined hr>me ! 

Around these lava-builded Isles, 
Whose summits oft are crowned with snow, 
The coral toils, and slowly piles 
Its reefs from ocean depths below. 
Till bulwarks they become, and form 
Safe havens from the wind and storm ! 
There, too, in lovely groups, it sj^reads, 
Heneath the waves, its garden beds 
()[ flowers not tinted by the skies. 
And blooming where no zephyrs rise ; 
Where life-marine, not human eyes. 
Behold in mute, but glad surprise, 
These fields of beauty from whose stores 
Fair maidens shall, in coming years, 



From ocean's bosom, to their own, 
Transplant what o'er the sea hath flown, 
These gems, in various colors shown ! 

How long, beneath God's eye alone, 

The festooned forests spread, and palms 

And plants helped weave the verdant zone, 

That bound the coral-sanded shore. 

Or massed in vales 'neath leeward calms. 

With fruits, and flowers, and vines, galore ; — 

How long, on Heaven's ear, fell psalms 

Of mountain water-falls, or roar 

Of billows blue that broke on wind — 

Ward strands, or lava rocks behind ; — 

How long, was heard the louder voice that spoke 

Forth from the Crater's yawning throat and woke 

The echoes of the forests deep 

And caverns dark, as with the leap 

Of mighty flaming angel to the sky, 

Some fire fountain played its stream on high 

A thousand feet — since seen by human eye — 

Then conic curved, and roaring fell. 

The Island shaking by its weight and cry — 

Diapason sounding, as of hell — 

And downward rolling, licks up the pools ; 

The forest burns, until, at last, it cools 

Its tongue of flame o'er coral graves. 

Mid scathing swirl of angry waves — 

Man does not know ! 



But now there drift 
To these lone isles for resting place, 
On frailest barks, God's final gift 
To crown His work and show His grace, 
Some children of our common race ! 
From whence they came, what cruel fate. 
Or fortune rare, first brought them here 
O'er trackless waves from far-off lands — 
Dogs, rats, and swine co-voyagers queer, 
No legends, songs, or stories state. 
These shores and seas to them appear 
The whole of Earth — while yonder stands, 
Miles high, snow-crowned, with crater flags unfurled, 
Hawaii, monarch of their Island-World ! * 
How long, these wand'rers dwelt secure 
In this their new-found Island home — 
What moral culture, bad or pure, 
They brought from races whence they came — 
What arts, what skill, what mental power 
Were theirs to work the problem o'er 
Of life, apart from other men, 
While nature's face alone was seen 
In all her aspects, moods, and sheen, 
We little know, save from the page 
First read by Cook, with eyes ablear 
By pride, or lust, which cost him dear. 
At zenith of their Golden Age ! 

* The author is well acquainted with the theories connecting Hawaii 
with Tahiti and other islands of the Pacific, but he prefers the authentic 
discovery by Captain Cook, in 1778. 



Kings, chieftains, warri^jrs, bards, and priests. 

Then formed the vState — the rnling men ; 

Wliile orators, in place of pen — 

vSnice letters were undreamed of then — 

Told o'er the legends of the Isles 

To list'ning thousands at their feasts 

And honors shared with sweet minstrels, 

Whose plaintive song, the heart beguiles ! 

To improvise, in their soft tongue — 

Like gifted maids in Italy — 

Was often heard, when women sung 

Of sorrow, joy, or ecstacy — 

Of love, or, all the yearnings strange. 

That struggled in the soul for birth. 

In words of glowing power and range, 

That more belonged, to heaven, than earth ; 

And while the rhythm moved among 

The licpiid vowels of typeless tongue. 

And charmed the ear, and body swung — 

The soul was swayed, responsive! y. 

And sweetest bells of mem'ry rung, 

By this spontaneous poetry ! 

This gift survives all change, to-day ; 
And, like swan's dying strains, in lay. 
Sings in sad minor key decay 
Of country, race, and native sway — 
vSo soon, in ghjom, to pass away ! 



Then, there were tillers of the soil; 
Bold fishermen, and sons of toil; 
Art' sans who wove with skill and ease, 
Or carved canoes from forest trees ! 
Their kapa robes were works of art, 
Worn by their kings, in state apart, 
O'er laid with plumage of rare birds ; 
Their polished boats showed lines most true 
For beauty, speed ; while no fit words 
Can paint their helmets, which impart, 
Hy feathers of most brilliant hue. 
The glow of burnished gold thereto, 
Tho' metal workers were unknown, 
Since lava ores had never flown ! 

Then, as the Island Kingdom grew, 
Slave, courtier, buffoon, not a few, 
Athlete, priestess, dames, and children too, 
With song and dance and games on land, 
Within the surf, or on the sand, 
Gave color, life on ev'ry hand ! 
These sports, shared in, by all the Isles — 
With time and place arranged, by those 
Who knew when moon, and stars arose — 
Calendared tli' year from start to close — 
Were much like games of Grecian players — 
The jav'lin, quoit, the race, and wiles 
Of wrestling, boxing, all were theirs ; 
While those, wherein they played with sea- 



On top-most waves, in sportive glee. 
Excelled the skill of chariot race — 
Rode crested waves, at greater pace ! 

Besides, religious rites and feasts, 

Off 'rings both human, and of beasts 

Cast down the Crater's burning mouth, 

To stay, propitiate the wrath 

Of gods there throned, or else in fanes 

Of lava rock — one still remains 

Near Loa's top— all helped to build 

This hid Hawaiian race, who thrilled 

The world with fame when found, not very long 

Ago— scarce six-score years — and filled 

Their land with men, three hundred thousand strong ! 

Strange evolution this, of Isles, 

From other shores two thousand miles. 

Uplifted here by ancient fires ! 

But that which fascinates, inspires 

Us most, is the evolving plan 

Of Heav'n, respecting change in man, 

Whereby, unknowing and unknown, 

A feeble race wrought out, by fires 

Of genius in the soul — or shown 

By Nature, in her strong desires — 

A growth and glory, all their own ! 

What moulded most, Hawaiian thought, 
Awakened fancy, terrors wrought. 



Charm' d all their senses, or appealed 

To love of beaut}^ or the field 

Of speculation, was the hidden source, 

Of Verdure, Mountains, and Volcanic Force ! 

The things that moved them most, did please 

Their natures, as our own, were these ; 

The trade-winds, steady blowing on the land 

And bringing freshness, rain-clouds, with full hand 

To feed swift rivers and the source 

Of mighty water-falls, whose course 

Goes singing, laughing, tumbling to the sea ; 

^\).^ forests , standing in mute majest}^, 

With pomp of green and flowers and vines; 

Fair valleys, sheltered from the winds 

With fragrance filled, and fruits, both rare and sweet ; 

Palms, marshalled on the lava-sanded shore. 

Their branches waving ; shells so full of meat ; 

And other shells, that wild waves oft-times beat 

From out the sea, whose sighs, mysterious, swell 

In murm'ring tones, within the pearly cell ! 

Blown in by Trade- winds, 'gainst the solid rocks. 

Or bursting on the sands, in mighty shocks. 

They hear the grand Pacific Rollers roar. 

As, da}' and night, loud-voiced, the}' anthems pour !. 

Or, rumbling far beneath their feet. 
Subterranean warniyigs greet 
Too oft their ears, presaging soon 



The earthquake's shock, the lurid glow 
Which shrouds the earth, and pales the moon, 
Then floods the heavens, the land and sea 
With light whose rays more brilliant grow. 
As liquid lava rolls below ! 

'Twas once that Puna — plain of farms. 
For leagues o'er hung the deep abyss — 
Was startled by these dread alarms, 
Then broke sheer off, b}^ earthquake arms 
And plunged adown the precipice 
Engulfing, in the depths profound, 
Homes, inmates, temples, tilled ground. 
And other marks of earthh^ bliss, 
While Nature shudder' d at the wound, 
Through all the mountain-mass around ! 

Craters they viewed — then silent, dead, 

As on the moon, whose rays but made 

All vaster seem, wherever shed — 

What time they climbed up to the rim — 

When Luna, o'er their heads, did swim 

With crater-face, like human kin, 

Down turned on them, to look and fade — 

And gazed below, in gulfs so dim ; 

Fit haunt they seemed for ghost or shade. 

But where their gods once dwelt and played,. 

Or held high council, hot and grim. 



Ha lea ka la, see ! — yon " House of Sun," 
That springs from sea, ten thousand feet ! 
Its mighty eaves — where lavas once did run 
Through sluice gates down, the sea to meet- 
Sweep round two hundred leagues or more. 
With lofty walls, but roof caved in ! 

When, in long ages gone before. 

These molten streams down sank from brim- 

With tow' ring apex 'gulfed therein — 

They slowly cooled ; then sprang a score 

Of fierce volcanoes up within — 

A giant each, with fearful mien — 

To-day, Earth's grandest, silent scene ! 

They gazed besides on hardened fields 
Of lava flows, where each reveals 
Its winding, treacherous, ragged path ; 
Where fissures yawn, and caverns bend ; 
Where scoria, cinders, ashes blend 
In one wild scene of awful death ! 

Hard by, on Mauna Loa's ruptured side, 
Deep in a pit, and leagues around, 
A lake of fire which surged profound 
Like surf of angry sea, where gods did ride, 
They viewed with awe and bated breath ! 
There Pele's raven locks the}' saw. 
Drawn from the lava's molten mass ; 



Now dashed against the crater's jaw 
In tresses fell, like fine-spun glass ; 
Then, blown by winds, it hung on cliffs, 
Or drifted far, in nooks and rifts ! 

Once on a time, when warrior band 

A thousand strong, encamped near l^y 

To rest till morn, then reach the strand 

Where hostile chiefs, their strength would try, 

A sudden storm of ashes, gas, 

And red-hot cinders filled the camp, 

When, like the Assyrian host, en masse 

Bloodless, where Pele closed their tramp, 

vShe slew them in the mountain pass ; 

Their bleached bones, for many years. 

Lay there exposed — dread source of fears ! 

Near this, where sulph'rous fumes she sniffs, 

vSome Priestess dwells in lava caves ; 

vScared mortals' steps she guides, and raves 

In trance-like spells, with other gifts. 

As Delphic maid, in Greece, behaves. 

Far \\\) on Kona's torn plateau 

Where lavas long have ceased to flow — 

Above the forests that remain — 

Beyond the ocean's hoarse refrain — 

Amid a scene of wild domain. 

O'er fields of slag, and clinkers lain — 

lM)ur great volcanoes loom thereon. 



That sweep the distant horizon — 
Hua I'd lai — Mauna Kea — ■ 
Mauna Loa — and Kohala ! 

On this most awful spot, mundane, 
There stands, to-day, a ruined fane — 
All dead, its devotees, and reign — 
With out-look on those Altars high 
By Heav'n, uplifted, to the sk}' ! 

There, ancient rites, did priests maintain, 
Where human victims oft were slain ; 
There, deep-planned oracle was reared. 
With Priestess hidden — trained in Fane — 
Whose voice articulate was heard, 
When Chieftains sought the will divine ; 
And people, too, asked for some sign — 
Besides God's mighty works and word, 
Seen everywhere, and always heard ! 

To this untutored race, and more, 
vSuch were the aspects Nature wore, 
With mingled arts of human fraud — 
Which still appeal to souls o'er awed — 
No wonder that they did adore. 
And throne their gods in august state. 
Within the crater's heart and gate — 
Where Science, still, cannot explore ! 

But when at length, from foreign shore. 
From sister Isles, the wide seas o'er, 



14 

On ships white-winged — mid cannon's roar — 
And hoarse-voiced cry from trumpet blast — 
And anchor chains that rattled past — 
And Britain's meteor flag at mast — 
There came strange men — ne'er viewed before 
Nor dreamed of in their mental score, 
The}^ seemed to them, new gods, at first — 
Or Orno, now returned once more. 
Whom Trade -winds blew from off their shore- 
So ran the legend, which they nursed— 
But when they scann'd their actions o'er — 
These men of light and Christian trust — 
So full of weakness, greed, and lust — 
Who dared the Island gods to do their worst, 
And showed no fear — did not adore 
x\t Altar steps, or Crater's urn. 
But revelled in all lawlessness — 
Then, soon, the natives, in their turn, 
Their gods despise, their tabus burst — 
Their temples raze — their idols burn — 
And License reigns, without duress ! 

When spread the news, the w^orld around 
That here, at last, a race was found 
With no restraints, but Nature's laws, 
Unchecked bj^ civil codes and saws, 
Flew thither ships, as magnet draws ! 
Full fifty years these Isles became 
For traders, whalers, the rendezvous ; 



15 

Here men of war and men whose name 
At home was vile, helped this to do — 
To curse, and steep the land in shame ! 



'Twas then, new vices quickh' spread, in soil 

Most fit for change, by touch and sight ; 

Priests, saw their altars fall without recoil ; 

All clung to earth with new delight, 

And gave free scope to passion's might ! 

'Twas then, the forests, rich as gold, 

In precious trees, and barks, and gums, 

Were stripped of sandal- wood and sold 

To traders at most trivial sums. 

To smoke on altars of the gods 

In Asian fanes, where faith still plods, 

And ancient cults, the nations mould. 

'Twas then, they learned the curse of drink ; 

Were taught to build and work the still. 

Soon stood the King upon the brink. 

With all his race, of threatened ill. 

More fatal than the crater's flow. 

The earthquake shock, or plunge below ! 

Impelled by Christian zeal, there comes, 
Full late, from our dear land and homes. 
To bless and save, and not to blame, 
This erring, injured, gentle race — 
These wand' ring sheep, without a name — 
Another band, with love and grace. 



i6 

Husbands and wives, with hearts aflame ! 
Long years they toil, with single aim, 
Mid ill success, and scorn of foes, 
These noblest souls — New England grows ! 

Daily, to pagan sisters, arts 
Of home and thrift and taste imparts 
Some teacher ; while they all impose 
With gentle force and love, the laws 
Of purity — and plead th' Master's cause ! 
At first, no hearts a welcome gave 
From King on throne, to abject slave ; 
Hopeless, to human view their toil, 
Where sin so fully cursed the soil ! 

But step by step, these patient guides by 
Letters, arts, by truth and life, as well. 
Raised this people to a plane so high 
That in each home, the Christ does dwell — 
Where, daily, hymns of praise arise 
And all, the Bible virtues prize — 
A nation loved in Heaven's eyes ! 

This was by far her brightest page, 
Hawaii's second Golden Age, 
When schools and churches filled the land 
And peaceful hamlets lined the strand ; 
Where temp' ranee held the upper hand. 
And greed of gain had poisoned not. 



17 

But rare contentment was the lot 
Of all who shared that happy spot — 
In truest sense, a Christian land ! 

Then, sweet Lahaina — palm embowered — 
Though near the sea, not traffic's mart — 
But seat of schools, where Truth was taught 
To lift the soul, and bless the heart — 
Lay nestled at the base of hills 
First formed, when Hale' ka la showered. 
Or ground their sides by lava mills ! 

Then, lovely Hilo, rich endowered 

With charming ba}-, and sea near by — 

Where mighty surfs — to all empowered — 

Did rarest ocean sports supply — 

Shone most in verdure — moisture-born — 

Where trade- wind clouds so frequent showered, 

And Nature's tears did but adorn ! 

Mid water-falls and running streams, 

And temple spires, and happy homes, 

How rich the emerald landscape seems ! 

With mingled vines, and cane, and corn. 

Here, lovely apple-rose-tree bloom.s ; 

The ginger plant with pink-white flowers ; 

There, loft}^ palm, or bamboo towers ; 

While banner leaf 'd bananas, beck'ning, nod. 

O'er lil}^ rose, and other gifts of God ! 



But like all beauty's dang'rous charms — 

Mid crimson light and purple glow 

Of skies, and heights, and seas below, 

And Nature's emerald bestow — 

Still, Hilo sits where tidal waves do roll ; 

And oft, she feels the dire alarms, 

Which earthquakes give, up from the angry soul 

Of Mauna I^oa — chained — but still in arms ! 

She knows, full well, the mighty power 

Of sleeping pit-born Dragon, when he starts 

From out his lain of fire, but imparts 

No hint of pathway or the hour 

Of visitation ! — but he fills all hearts 

With fear, till cold and stiff, supine he lies 

On mountain slope, or in the ocean dies ! 

Then, Honolulu, on Oahu — 

Fair Capital, in ocean blue — 

Of these group'd Isles — Hawaii — Nei — 

Reared in the midst of craters high, 

With harbor formed by coral reef — 

Owed all her many charms — in chief 

To waters brought ; to culture ; and beside, 

To woman's taste with love and home allied ; 

To choicest flowers, fruits, plants from other lands, 

Till now, one garden vast, she smiling stands — 

Botanical and rare — the Nation's pride ! 

Hut in this lovely Island home, 

Where Nature smiled, and all seemed peace — 



19 

Where sweet Aloha — love to you — 

On ev'ry hand, from hearts most true — 

Fell on all ears — or kind adieu — 

Where songs were heard, whose plaintive airs 

Charmed soul and sense, and brought fresh tears, 

And sent to Heav'n the tend 'rest prayers — 

A blight was working — and had come — 

To make the fam'h^ life to cease. 

The causes of this sad decay, 

And all the penalties men pay 

Are common facts — well known to-day. 

Tho' blameless offspring, pity wins. 

The wages of forefathers' sins, 

By laws, as sure, and hard as fate. 

Which none can shun, and none should scorn. 

By Nature and by Sinai taught, 

To-day, in many homes forlorn, 

And, Molokai — are being paid. 

While children few, are ever born 

To those, whose blood seems purest made. 

Most sad of all, another ill — 
The old Idolatry — deemed dead — 
Like smothered fires, lingers still — 
By Royal, pagan, prestige fed — 
And threatens moral doom, as well ! 

Fast fades this hapless race awa}-, 
And soon but hist'rv will recall 



Their glory and their Christian day — 

Their sad decline, and final fall. 

But, 'mid this ruin of a race 

B}^ causes named — and loss of Crown 

By Queen, who boldly dared disown 

Her people's rights — by charter known — 

And leagued herself, and falling throne, 

With shameless gains — with deep disgrace, 

And pagan ways — there grows apace, 

A new Hawaii — freed, elate — 

In Golden Age of Wealth and vState. 

E'en now, while art and science join, 

By Irrigation's magic rate. 

To change her lava-beds to coin, 

Whereby the phosphates, nitrogen. 

That lay, locked up, from former men, 

Are now, by guided streams, released. 

And all fertility increased 

Beyond Toil's dream, or Tiller's ken ; 

And government and laws are made 

By men of worth and equal grade — 

Sons of the soil— the peers, by birth, 

Of all, by civil code set forth — 

She comes to us, as latest born, 

To share our lot— her life adorn, 

This Sister, crowned with cane and corn. 

Who stands beyond our Golden Gate — 

In future years, as sure as fate, 



To hold within her grasp, the keys 
Of empire o'er Pacific seas ! 

In century coming, these fair Isles 

Shall form our entrepot of trade ; 

Rich mines of wealth, by water made ; 

A land of travel ; health ; new stores 

Of marvels, for all eager eyes. 

Where Nature shows a new surprise — 

Beyond her verdure, tears, and smiles, 

Her heav'ns of blue, mild airs, sea shores — 

In Uving fire-fountains, miles 

Around, and leagues on high, pump'd up 

From pit, by God — through crater-cup — 

Unmatched sight on Globe of ours ! 

This, then's the Land we sing ! where sleep. 
In all their Christian graves — and well — 
A Race redeemed, whose mem'ry 's sweet ! 
Their heirs, would save from wreck — who dwell 
Therein — our kindred, but Hawaiians still — 
The work of many precious years. 
Built up by love, and toil, and tears ! 
They'd place the threatened, rescued Isles, 
'Neath Starry Flag — and save all fears 
Of conquest ; claims — who e'er assails — 
As OCEAN STATE, in Sea, that smiles — 
While courting commerce to its shores — 
On many empires, old and young, 



Whose friendships we have fairly won — 
And thus help bring, what bards have sung. 
And sages taught, and Christ foretold — 
The reign of peace, throughout the world ! 



A WOMAN'S Lament. 



[Addressed, for the most part, to the man who had led her 
astray, and refused reparation. A poem written against 
the morals of the times.] 

She King, Part /, Book 5, Ode 4th. 



WH] 



HEN barf ring cloth for silk, my way you came, 
■\n honest looking lad you seemed to be ; 

But not such open barter, was your aim — 
Fair words of thine, my virtue won from me 



Upon the river Kee, my well-known stream, 
As willing pilot, did I guide your way ; 

When Tunkew's gates were reached I urged " Redeem 
Your word — now celebrate the wedding day ! " 

You seemed offended by ni}^ claim, and said, 

" No proper go-between hath bound thee mine.'^ 

Homeward this pledge I bore — a ruined maid — 
" Let autumn coming be the happy time." 



23 

When autumn came I climbed the ruined wall, 

With outlook toward Fuhkwan, thy native town ; 

Dail}^ I watched your coming and your call, 
Daily my tears did flow in torrents down ! 

At last one da}^ my sad heart leaped for jo}^ ! 

Tears were- dried and tender words and laughter 
Gave thee glad welcome ! In love's sweet employ 

Anew we vowed and planned the bright hereafter ! 

" Signs favored," so you urged, " b}^ divination — 
Diagrams of reeds and the tortoise shell ! ' ' 

" Then come," said I, " with carriage, take possession 
Of all my worldly goods, and me as well." 

Since then three Springs have passed; as leaves I've gathered 
To feed my silk-worms; and their round cocoons, unwind ; 

And while the golden fibres, I have reeled and knotted. 
My wedded life no nearer seems — I feel I've sinn'd ! 

How rich and how gloss}' are the unsullied leaves 
Of the mulberry tree e're the}" fall to the earth ! 

Ah I thou dove, since its fruit, in excess, thee deceives. 
Taste it not, and keep pure as the day of thy birth ! 

And so, 3-outhful lad}^, seek not an}- pleasure 

That robs 3'ou of virtue, whosoever thee calls ! 

Some plea, for a man, men oft-times urge — but O never 
Excuse can be offered for a maiden who falls ! 



24 

Yon mulberry leaves are all yellow or shed — 

And autumn has come, to the once fruitful tree ! 

vSo my i)lij^]ited affection you treat as quite dead 

Thouj^li I've shared, for three years, in your poverty. 

My face may be clianged, but my heart's the same still 
As when first you made proffers of marriage — 

Though the thoughts of your falseness my sad soul fill, 
IJke the tide of the Kee, as I cross in my carriage. 

Yes, you in your ways, have ever been double ! 

No longer, alas, do you care for p(K)r me ! 
You've tran.sgre.s.sed the right — and truly ignoble 

To hearts of sincerity, such conduct must be. 

lu)r three weary years was I truly your mate. 

And nothing of toil did I care, in your home ; 

II]) I rose early, and I went to sleep late. 

No day intermitting, or longing to roam. 

Thus faithful I acted ; but cruel your part ; 

My brothers not knowing, will laugh and care not 
How wrongly I suffer, while deep in my heart 

I must silently brood, bemoaning my lot. 

The banks of the Kee, and its marshes, are known ; 

And, as certain, I deemed our union for years ; 
Ihit now, broken-hearted, disgraced, I go home — 

Oh, you give me nuich cau^se, for repining and tears ! 



25 

111 the bright and pleasant days of my girlhood, 

With tny black braided hair, in a knot simply tied, 

We laughed and we talked in the happiest mood. 

Clearly swearing our faith, and our love, on each side. 

Ah, yes ! in that trusting time of my girlhood 

I thought that our hearts, no power could sever ; 

Now, alas ! by your choice — your years of falsehood. 
Our engagement must end — and forever ! 



KiNQ 5aEri'5 Palace. 



[This poem stands for home Hfe ; aiul, proV>ably more 
than any other ancient teaching, has fixed the position 
of woman in China, making it one of great inferiority ; 
so that to this day, it is considered a misfortune to have 
a daughter l>orn in the house.] 

She King, Part 2, I>ook /, Ode 5. 

BY graceful sweep of hills that nearer lie, 
With mount serene, and far, in southern sky, 
Firm based as bamboo clumps, the palace stands. 
While roof, like pine tree's ample head, expands. 
Within this home, may each his brother love, 
No schemings one against the other, move. 



26 

Having entered, as heir, the estate of his sires, 

This palace he rears, to meet his desires. 

The chambers abound ; in cubits, the walls 

Five thousand are found ; while the doors of the halls 

Face westward and south ; and here he'll reside — 

Will talk here and laugh, and friends sit beside. 



When building these walls, the frames for the ground 
Were placed with precision and properly bound. 
T'oh, t'oh, went the pounding, till every wall 
Was impervious to wind, as well as rainfall. 
No crannies were open for rat or for bird — 
Truly, a princely home, for our noble lord ! 

In deep expectation, like man on tip-toe ; 
Or arrow, straight flying from string of the bow ; 
Like the fresh mottl'd bird, which gay plumage brings 
Like speed of the pheasant, on swift-flying wings — 
So, his Hall of Reception, surprise will create, 
When the lord of this mansion ascends it, in state ! 



Both level and smooth, the court-yard appears, 
And lofty the pillars, that round it he rears ; 
Pleasant the exposure of its chambers to light 
With wide and deep recesses, obscured to the sight. 
Here, he'll repose, the noble lord we love, 
On rush-mat below — fine bamboo above. 



27 

Here ma}^ he sleep ; and awaking shall pray, 
' ' My dreams now divine — your skill thus display — 
Which ones were lucky ? for bears, passed in view — 
Grislies, with cobras ; and rare serpents too ! " . 

Thus for him, the chief diviner will divine : — 
' * Bears and grisly bears, are the auspicious sign 
Of sons ; while cobras and the serpent race. 
Declare that daughters, too, his home shall grace ! " 

Sons shall be born to him, and put to rest 
On couches ; and in robes, shall they be dressed ; 
While in their sports, with sceptres, they shall play ; 
And loud will be their cr}^ by night and day ! 
Bright, with red aprons, they at length shall stand — 
The future King — the princes of the land ! 

Daughters shall likewise, unto him abound ! 
All these, they'll put to sleep upon the ground ; 
In swaddling clothes be dressed — unlike the boys ; 
And while at play, will have but tiles for toj^s ! 
And theirs, 'twill be, no wrong to do, nor good — 
To think but of the spirits and the food ; 
And thus, no sorrow to their parents cause — 
These constitute their duties and their laws ! 



28 






.\//r' Au/i:, l\iil j,l, /:,><>/: ',///, (),/,■ y//i. 



i 



r|'>III', IiI.iikI (list wind now j^t-iilly Mows 
'I'lu- wiiKl is lollowc'd l)y the rain ; 
III tiiiK' ol I'l-ar and divad of foes, 

As OIK-, W(--ic' vv«-, and not as twain ; 

r.iil, in \<)nr icsl tinif, or wlun j.',ay, 

N'oii'vc Inincd and ca-.l iiicllicn away ! 

'iMic l)Iand casl wind now }.m!iII\' hlows, 
'Tlu- wind r, lollowcil by llic stoi in ; 
And wIkii \oni Icai and dicad arose, 
\'<)n |»la((il me in \(Hii luail most warm ; 
Kill , in \ (Mil lime ol icst and joy, 
N'on'vreasl m<- t'll, like woillili'ss toy. 

'V\\v Maud i-asi wind now }•< nth' blows, 

|{nl, o'l I (III- rock en>wn(<l Iiill toi)S, sec ! 

No ^rass, hut's d\ inR where it rose — 

And vvilh'i inj;, loo, is i-vcry tree. 

M\' smallest l.iiilts so lillcd \oiii llion^ht 

Tiial all in\ viitius wcic forgot ; 

And .1(1(1, I am, at last, t(» tiu-c-. 



29 



A PiQTCJKE or MaJBANbRT. 



I III spring tiiiif and Il.irvfst with Hh ;iti(ii.l:iiii 
rclij^ious ritcH — heiii^ llu- iiUciuik <•■> of I Ik- Siip< iiii 
tciKleut of the Royal hoinaiii, in Ihc j>icHeiu:e and 
hcarin>< of the kiiij< hiniscK ; for, in the early a^c-H, 
kinj^s, and iiol. nnpcrois, Jiihd in C"hiii;i | 

S/ir hi nil, ^'"if ■', /'""/'' ^>, ^^ii<' '/■ 



A 



vS I survey this liiiidscapc wide, 

My heart's vvcdl ])lcasc(l (date vvilii jjiidc ' 



These sweeping li< l<ls most l.iir ai)pcar, 
Whose teiithly yi( Id the Crown ea(di yeai- 
Receives, while Iroin old stores of seed 
My hushaiidiiKii I daily jci-d. 

(iood years we've- ha<l, lor a;,MS )>ast ! 
Nor laiiiiiKs Tear, while mih sh;!!! List ! 
Ai,d now, that with the warmth ol Sj>rin;', 
(il:id ;ind hill voi<cd Orioles sin^',, 

And maidens fair, with baskets dec p, 
Throng niulh'ry lanes, wliose hran< lies yield 
Yonn}< leaves by which the silkworms sc-ek 
Their cocoon In^mcs -not tombs, to bnihl, 

I, too, nnist not these S])iin;.', days waste, 
lint now, \() lields south lyin^, haste. 
Where some are weeding — others toil 
In gath'rin;^ ronnd the roots, the soil. 



30 

While Spring-tide sun wakes ev'ry plant, 
The millets rise luxuriant ! — 
Though all the fields in verdure smile, 
And teach us gratitude, the while ! 

In resting place of large extent — 
With Altar raised — my heart intent — 
The better men I'll gather there, 
And while I praise them, rites prepare. 

With vessels full of millet bright, 
And victim-rams of purest plight, 
We'll to the Spirits sacrifice, 
Of this our land, and all the skies ! 

That these our fields are in good state, 
Doth each true husbandman elate ; 
With lutes and beating drums we'll call, 
The Ancient Father of the Soil, 

And pray for showers of sweetest rain 
To add increase to all our grain — 
My husbandmen alike to bless, 
And give their wives much happiness ! 

In masses dense, may clouds soon form, 
And o'er the soil— so rich and warm — 
The gentle rain come down ; and when 
The fields are ripe, my husbandmen 
Some spots unreaped shall leave ; and spare 
Some sheaves — the needy widows' share ! 



31 

The King himself beholds the scene, 
Where fathers, in their age serene, 
Lead on the children and the wives 
With food for those who work apart, 
On acres facing Southern skies ! 

Besides the King — as pleased at heart, 
The Field Surveyor comes and tries 
From left, to right, the various food, 
To prove if it be bad, or good. 

The grain 's well tilled in ev'ry field ; 
And choice 'twill be — and large the yield ; 
And while the King approves — his art 
Bach husbandman has more at heart ! 

The rip'ning fields look thick as thatch ; 
Yes ! carriage cover, thej^ will match ! 
The King's vast crops in stacks shall stand 
Like isles, or mounds, on ev'ry hand ! 

A thousand gran'ries he must seek — 

And myriad carts as well, bespeak ! 

The millets, paddy and the maize 

Will please each husbandman — who praA's : 

" Bless'd be King with joy supernal — 
Scores of years, and life eternal ! " 



32 



Tme Plaint of a Rejected y\Nb 
Supplanted Wife: 

INDl'STUIOl'S AND Dl'VO'lNsI) To 'rill-, I'ISII INDl'STRN' 

A I'OICM Al.AINS'l' l'()l,\(;Al\n'. 

Shr k'iiiii, I'ar/ ist, Hook ;</, Ih/r /0//1. 

Wrril skifS all cloiKiy, and a i)()iiriii_i; rain, 
\\[ still, Iiow i;i-iill\ hlows the- raskTii wind ! 
.So linsl)an<l and wile kt llicin loxc- maintain, 
And stiivc to he one, both in lu-arl and mind I 

When ^alh'rin^' melons, or tlu- mnstard plant, 
Hccaiisc of roots, wi- <lo not llnan dc-spisi' ; 
And whilr m\' i;ood name, sin doth not sni>i)lant, 
\'onr wile 1 am, till one or t'otluT dies ! 

SIowIn' and sadl\', alon^ the road I i;(>— " 

Ri-ludant still to leave— ni>' inmost heart ; 

)nst passed tir threshold of sonr home — and harels' so 

Von hear me eomi)an\' and thns to part ! 

Who'll tell me. now. that the sow thistle's hitter.^ 
"Pis sweet as shei)herd's i)nrse — or swec-ter far ; 
\'on'\e hron.L'Jd, alas ! Nonr new wile home to least her- 
\'on're hoth as lovini; as two hrolheis are ! 

The ri\ca Kin};\s more mndd> than the Wei : 
Hnt. ronnd the islets, bottom olt we see ; 
VVMlh new made- wile. Non'n' leastiiii; now while I 
Am thoni;ht nnworth>' of xonr i-ompan\' ! 



33 

This ncvv-in;i(K' wife must not approach in\' dam ; 
My ])ask<.'t, too, she must not move away — 
Alas ! alas ! I (juite rejected am ! 
Wh\' care, wlial eomes, sinee lu-re I ("an not slay ? 

in waters deep, on rait, or boat, I crossed ; 
Where shallow, dived, or swam the waters o'er ; 
ir wealth, or no, we had, we never lost — 

I always strn^>;led to increase our store ! 

When neighbours amonj;, death entered their home. 
To aid them I crawled, as 'twere, on my knees ; 
lUit now, >()n'll not cherish — but ralliei disown 
And count me your foe another to please ! 

My virtues are all, like a pedlar's bad wares, 
kejeeled by you, th<»n,ij;h they've guarded your home ; 
h'or, (Mten, years back, I'tl my fears and my cares, 
I, est our means sliould decrease, and poverty come ! 

r>ul now, when your riches, through me, do al)ound, 
As poison, I'm rated ; — and all my fine store 
( )f food well seleeti'd —the yield of Ihi- ^lound - 
Is youi- ample sui)ply, till th' winter is o'er ! 

Thus, ol' me, you must thiid-:, while feasting your bride- ; — 

II poverty eanie, I could yield you much stoic ! 

lint what pains me most, is your anj^er— your pride — 
While my love, you forj^et — and the days of yore ! 



34 



Ml^QOVEKNMENT AND IT5 Re5ULT6. 



,S7/f' h'ing, Part >, Hook 5, Ode 9. 



In this ixKMii, composed nearly three thonsand years ago, 
we have some remarkable Sabian and pessimistic views ; 
and some modern problems anticipated. After briefly 
sketching- the once happy condition of the Chinese, under 
the rule of faithful and wise Ministers of vState, the poet 
paints the present misery, caUvSed by misgovernment ; the 
toils and sorrows of the poor ; the lack of sympathy or aid, 
on the jxirt of those in power, sporting in wealth, pleasure, 
selfishness and pride ; and in despair of all earthly aid, he 
described the miserable people, as appealing to the Constel- 
lations of Heaven ; which, in serene silence, ever look down, 
but give no sign or aid to men ! 



I. 
Kljy loaded with millet, were all the food dishe.' 

since want was unknown 
^ong, carved of thorn-wood — -shaped to ev'ry one's wish 
Were the spoons which the\' handled, with a skill (piite their ov 



WKlJy loaded with millet, were al 
In the homes of the people, sine 
lyong, carved of thorn-wood— slia 



And the Highway of Chow — straight as arrow of reed, 
Like a well-used whet-stone, was all polished and worn, 
v*^ince OlTicers throngeil it, with their ret'nues, full speed, 
0\\ missions imperial, to the furthermost bourn ! 



35 

Oft the peasantry paused, mid their pleasures and toil, 
To gaze on these builders of the Eniinre with pride ; 
But now, changed is the scene; all untilled is the soil, 
For the people no longer have leaders who guide ! 

In the vStates of the East, both in large ones and small, 
The looms are now silent — all the spinners have fled ; 
And in shoes of the thinnest, scarcely fit for the hall, 
Tlie people walk shiv'ring, o'er ground frozen, instead ! 

On the Highway of Chow, there now daily pass by, 
Not Off'cers of merit — bearing honors and care, 
But courtiers effem'nate — over polished and high. 
Who heed not the people — their needs and despair ! 

Their goings — their comings, alas ! each day, along 

That Highway paved and worn, which starts from gates of Chow 

()A merest pleasure bent, with all the idle throng — 

Doth make my heart to ache, my head, with shame to bow ! 

With no pledge of reward, the best sons of the East 
To service, are summoned, at the call of the State ; 
While in dresses superb, untried men of the West 
At Court are received, and advanced, while they wait I 

Our boatmen brave, who toil on rivers wide and strong, 
Have no fine garments on, but furs of grisly bear ; 
While sons of fam'lies mean — not worth a rap, or song. 
Fill ev'ry public post, and all their honors share ! 



36 

If, wishing to please them, choice spirits we offer, 
All our liquors, they spurn, as the vilest distilled ; 
If then, girdle pendants, with rare stones we proffer — 
These, too, are despised by men proud and self-willed ! 

II. 

Ye waters clear and cold, that l)urst from hill-side springs, 
Soak not these fagots which, with toil, I've cut and bound ! I 
Alas ! what anxious thoaghts — what doubts, each new day brings 
To us, who wake to plod afresh, the self-same round ! 

These fagots here, tis true, I've cut and firmly bound — 

I would that they wore also safely lodged at home ! ^ 

Ah, me ! this constant toil — this ever weary round 

Of struggles but to live — I would that rest might come ! 

III. 

In yonder vault of Heaven, wide sweeps the Milky Way ! 
Though vast its wealth of light, 'tis naught to mortals here ! 
There, too, the Weaving Sisters, in their toil each day. 
Pass o'er the seven stages of the stellar Sphere ! 

But tho' these Heavenly maids go spinning through the sky, 
And weave, as they advance, th' mystic curtains of th' Night, 
No bright and cheering work do they for us who sigh 
And struggle in this lower world, for life and light ! 

Yonder the Draught Oxen, too, are seen to move afar 
Along the plains of Heaven, whereon, firm -yoked, they toil; 
But what to us, avail, these oxen and their car, 
Unless they help to draw, our carts, on earthly soil ? 



37 

Lo ! in the East there's Lucifer — so proud and high — 
And in the West, bright Hesperus, our evening guest ; 
Outspread, too, hangs the Rabbit Net, athwart the sky — 
But by them each, or all, in no wise are we blest ! 

There in the South, the Sieve — held by some mighty power, 
Could, if but shaken, rain down food upon our head ; 
While in the North, behold the Dipper ! formed to pour, 
As from a ladle, spirits, with our daily bread ! 

And yet this heav'nly Sieve — where star-space forms the meshes, 

But idly shows its rim, to the gaze of mortals ! 

So, too, the Dipper there, no weary man refreshes — 

Its handle bright, but simply points to Western Portals ! 



MEyVYEN'5 AppoiNTnENT OF KlNQ WaN ; 

AND THE OVERTHROW OF THE SHANG DYNASTY. 
The She King, Part j, ^iook /, Ode 2. 

WHILE, on high, enthroned, is an awful Majesty, 
On earth, illustrious virtue, should, resplendent, be ! 
But since assistance, Heav'n doth never read'ly bring, 
'Tis not an easy task, to be an earthly King I 
E'en Yin, though rightful heir, to Heaven's lower throne. 
Was not permitted to possess it, as his own ! 



38 

Tae-Jin, the second daughter of the Prince of Che, 

Once journeyed from the Shang Domain — tho' many a le — 

To form a blood alliance with the Prince of Chow — 

The black-haired Race's destined head — the honored Ke — 

And took, within his Capital, her bridal vow ! 

Being virt'ous both, Tae-Jin fulfill'd the Heav'nly plan 

Of Dynasty, by giving birth to our King Wan ! 

But long before his infant eyes baheld the light, 

His mother's guarded ears, no unchaste language heard ; 

Her vision too, beheld no gross, or horrid sight ; 

Her lips, no pride expressed ; her heart no anger stirred ! 

Thus, in her womb, itself, was Heaven's will sustained — 

The greatness of the child was plann'd before he reigned ! 

Then,when to man's estate, he'd come — most wisely taught — 

And ever watchful, rev' rent, in the highest mood. 

King Wan, to Heav'n's lyord, his noblest service brought ! 

Without deflection, too, his ev'ry virtue stood, 

And so secured, from God Himself, the highest good; 

So helped, and guided, he received, as by command. 

The allegiance of the States, on ev'ry hand ! 

'Twas thus, high Heaven, surveying this world below, 
Did first, on our King Wan, supremest rule bestow ! 
E'en, in his early 3^ears, God chose for him, a mate ; 
And when he'd wed, a lady from a distant State- 
Far north of Heah, and beyond the banks of Wei — 
Was sought and found, who Heaven's will would ratify ! 



39 

'Twas in an ample Realm, this lady had her home ; 

And where, like some bright denizen of Heav'n, she shone ! 

Omens and rites, foretold the fitness of the tie ; 

And our King Wan, in person, met her on the Wei ! 

Matchless, in glory, was this welcome to his bride — 

A bridge of boats, he built, across the flowing tide ! 

The fav'ring appointment, was, from Heaven alone, 
In giving, in Chow's Capital, to Wan, the throne; 
And sending to him from the distant State of Sin, 
Its eldest — choicest Princess, too — to marry him ! 
Most highly was she blest, as mother of King Woo, 
Whom God did crown, preserve— and help, in battle through. 
When called upon, to smite, according to decree. 
The mighty Yin, and overthrow his dynasty ! 

With banners, bows, spears, flags, in masses of rich bloom — 
Green, scarlet, gold, and colored trappings of maroon, 
Yin's troops appeared, like flow'ring forests, to the sight, 
As in the wilds of Muli they marshalled for the fight 
To save the Throne of Shang from sinking down in gloom ! 
The scene, though full of awe, no terrors had for Woo ; 
And crisis, all did meet ! To King, cried brave San-foo ; — 
" Have not one doubt ; the God of battle fights for ^-ou ! " 

In widest range, out-spread that wilderness of Muh, 
Where Empire's fate, depended on the coming fight ! 
Then as the armies, into line of battle, drew. 
Bright shone the sandal wooded Chariots, as the\^ flew 



40 

Behind their rushing steeds of bays — their bellies white 

And manes black flashing — with the swords and side knives, brighi 

Ye gods of War ! it was indeed a thrilling sight ! 

San-foo, the Gen'ral, like an eagle on the wing, 
The held surveyed entire, assisting Woo, the King ! 
One charge, alone, he made, — the Yin-Shang — fled awa}^ ! 
That morning's rout, secured a clear — a tranquil day ; 
Then, was seen at last fulfilled, high Heav'n's wise decree — 
One long, unbroken reign of Chow's great Dynasty ! 



The Leciend of Mow^T5eih. 

HIS INCARNATION, LABORS, AND APOTllKOSIvS. 
She Ki7igy Book 2, Part 3, Ode i. 

rj'^ HK marv'lous birth of China's black-haired mighty Race, 
I To Keang Yuen's favored womb, was thus wise due ! 

Childless, for years, she'd lived — no son e'er came to grace 
Her lonely home — though many off' rings, pure and true 
On border Altars, proved the yearnings of her heart 
A son to bear, and thus, ancestral hopes impart ! 

When Spring, once more, had come, and swallows skimming flev» 
O'er Altar grounds — Heav'n's hint to barren wives anew 
To seek celestial aid, the embryo life to start — 
There, as she sacrificed alone, and moved apart 



4r 

From steps — far more, the touch, of mortal man — she trod — 
And felt strange thrill — upon a toe-print made by God, 
And thus conceived ! To solitude she then retired 
Till all her numbered months of waiting, had expired, 
When, like a lamb, How-tseih, her first born son, came forth — 
A painless, briefless, easy, and non-rending birth, 
To prove how wonderful, the new-born babe would grow ! 
High Heaven, besides, gave comfort to the mother's heart, 
And testified, by saving her from pain's keen dart. 
That, all accepted, was her worship here below ! 

For want of shelter, when, at first, he saw the light — 
Or, that his mother had no aid— we do not know — 
How-tseih, on grass, was placed, within a narrow lane ; 
But even there exposed — most strange and touching sight — 
With loving care th' babe to guard, both sheep and oxen came ! 

Then, in a forest wide, he finds his second home 
Where fagot gath'rers toil; and oft to see him, come ! 
They marvel at the sight; and while they cut and bind, 
They guard his infant bed from foes, from rain and wind ! 

On ice, so cold, his tender limbs were next exposed ; 
But soon, within an eagle's clasping wings reposed 
This child ; or else was screened from wintry blast on high ! 
When once again, alone he lay, and bird had flown, 
vSo long and loud was heard his wailing piteous cry, 
That soon his voice filled all the way, in piercing tone ! 



42 

When able but to crawl — not yet to use his feet — 
Precocious seemed How-tseih — a most impressive boy ! 
When ag'd but six, and at home-table had a seat, 
His chosen art was Husbandry — his first employ ! 

At once, to planting beans, he fell — large beans that grew 
On stalks most high ; then, next, his rows of paddy drew 
The gaze of men, as up they shot in verdant life, 
Clothing the plain in beauty's grateful smile to God ! 

Meantime, his barley, wheat and maize, in friendly strife. 
Grew close and strong, on soil well freed from stone or clod ! 
While all his garden herbs, or stock of shapely gourds, 
Fresh food supply; or each, a useful cup affords ! 

This Tillage of How-tseih, was also highest Art ! 
He first began, by helping Nature at the start ! 
He cleared away, or burnt, or plowed beneath the soil. 
All surface grass, with patient and exacting toil. 

And next, before he sows the ground with golden grains, 
Choice seed he well selects, and then, by skill and pains, 
Th' living germs, he stimulates, within their outer case — 
When, planting, or transplanting each, they grow apace ! 
At length, 'neath showers and sun, they ripen, strong and good- 
Each ear most heavy hangs — each grain complete, for food ! 

'Twas thus, by years of marv'lous skill in Husbandry 
That our How-tseih, on Earth, became the Lord of Tae ; 
And when his human work was done, he passed on high. 
The correlate of God, in the Kingdom of the sky ! 



43 

He bequeathed, as our gift, all those beautiful grains — 
The millets bi-kernel'd ; black and white ones so round ; 
While th' taller, red species, all its glory maintains 
'Till it falls, 'ueath the sickle, and is stacked on th' ground ! 

Then, soon, the glad reapers, on their shoulders so strong, 
All the sheaves bear home-ward, for the grand sacrifice 
Which How-tseih first founded — they tell it in Song — 
When he worship' d th' Spirits of the Earth and the Skies ! 

And now, that our Sire, dwells immortal in Heaven ; 
And yet, condescends to hear us, and bless us, below ; 
Say, what honors, ye mortals, to him shall be given. 
At our ancestral Altars ? — what gifts, too, bestow ? 

When the Harvest is past, and the days give us leisure. 
Then our people, for worship, make toil but a pleasure ! 
Some, hull the bright millet — some bear from the mortar ; 
Some sift it — some tread it — some stir with might and main ; 
Then rat' ling go th' kernels in the boilers with the water, 
And soon a ferment starts, that changes all the grain ! 
Next, heat 's applied ; when lo ! as by some magic spell. 
The Steam, as Itih taught — Art open to abuse — 
A spirit pure distils, for sacrificial use ! 

With, thus, libation wine to pour, and drink as well, 
We seek by divination first, through tortoise shell. 
Or diagram of reeds, to know the will of Heaven ; 
And then, all rites of fastings, vigils, we fulfil ! 



44 

A ram we sacrifice ; and with it, too, are given 

Its fat, and fragrant Southern-wood, whose incense will 

The Spirit of the Path propitiate — who guides 

Our way through life, and saves our weary feet besides ! 1 

Then, gathered in the Ancestral temples of our dead. 

To them we offer flesh prepared, as though they fed 

On mortal food ! — for all these sacred rites, so dear, 

l^oth bind us to th' Past, and ev'ry Harvest Year ! ' 

vSmokc on, ye Altars, then ! with victims pure and rare ; 

And on our stands of wood and earthen ware, 

lyCt richest off' rings rest ; while incense rises high 

To God who smells, well-pleased, th' odor sweet from out the sky 

How-T>siCiii, who founded, too, our ancient Dynasty, 
And raised ancestral Altars, as we see them here : — 
Who taught his Race, the noble Art of Husbandry, 
And gives our I^and its fruitful Harvests, year by year — 
Him, worship ye as well, and all his praises sound — 
Who stays our Dragon Throne by tillage of the ground ! 



45 



ObE TO KlNQ 5EaEN; 

ON HIS FLOCKS AND HERDS, WITH AN AUSPICK 
OF THK PROSPKRITY OF HIS KINGDOM. 

She A'inQ, /\ifi 2, Book /, Ode 6. 

WHO'Iyly say no sheep to you belong, 
When ev'ry flock's three hundred strong ? 
And cattle — who'll assert you've none, 
When ninety, are black-lipped alone ? 

Your flocks are homeward coming — see 
The horned sheep in peace agree ! 
Your herds — how fair the sight appears ! 
Are for wing, too, with flapping ears ! 

Now, some among the mounds descend ; 
Others, at pools, their necks do bend ! 
Upon the ground, some rest at ease. 
While others move where most they please ! 

Your herdsmen now advance, and bear 
Upon their backs their frugal fare ; 
While rain-coats, bamboo hats they rest 
On arm, or where it suits them best. 

Among your cattle and your sheep — 
By color ranged, in thirties deep, 
How vast the store of your supplies, 
Of victims for each sacrifice ! 



46 

Your shepherds, too, now come this way ! 
With fagots and small twigs, what prey 
Of birds and beasts they bring along ! 
Closer, your sheep approach — how strong 

And vig'rous all the flocks appear ! 
None injured — no infection near ! 
The shepherd waves his arm — and lo ! 
Within the fold, the flocks all go. 

Shall dream, your herdsmen, in their sleep, 
Of crowds ; — then fishes in the deep ; 
Of tortoise, and the serpent, too ; — 
And then of falcon banners true ! 

Thus, th' chief divhier will divine 
The herdsmen's dreams of coming time ; — 
The men, in crowds, to fishes changing, 
Betoken years of wealth abounding ! 

The tortoise and the serpent lost. 

In falcon banners, means a host 

Of people yet will come to swell. 

The growing kingdom where you dwell ! 



47 



LOVE'5 FREFEKCNCE, 



She King, Part /, Book 7, Ode ig. 

I walked out by the Eastern gate, 
Where maidens fair, were grouped, in crowds 
Not to them did my thoughts relate. 
Though dressed in tints, like rain-bow clouds ! 
She, there, in silk, both thin and white, 
With head-dress grey — she's my delight — 
She, she alone ! fills all my view — 
For her, my heart beats warm and true ! 



I walked by the Tow'r, o'er covered wall, 

Where girls appeared, like flow' ring rushes ; 

But of them, I thought, not at all. 

Though sweet in j^outhful bloom and blushes ! 

She, there, in gauzy silk and white. 

With pale grey head-dress— she's my light — 

She's the maiden who's all to me — 

And the one that makes me happy ! 



48 



LaDY'5 CoNFE5515N AND APPEAL, 



She Ki7io-, Part i, Book 2, Ode 9. 

THE plums are dropping from the tree ; 
But still, seven-tenths are in their prime L 
For gentlemen, who' re seeking me, 
This, truly, is the fortunate time ! 



The plums are dropping from the tree ; 
Three-tenths, alone, of all remain ! 
For gentlemen, who' re seeking me. 
Now, is the time, my hand to gain ! 



No plums are left upon the tree ; 
But all, I've saved, in shallow basket ! 
I wish that he who's seeking me. 
Would name the day, — or, of me, ask it ! 



49 



KlNQ ^EUEfi'J 50L1L9QUT. 



AXriCrPATlNG- HIS EARLY MORNING RECEPTION AT 

COURT ; AND MEASURING THE HOURS BY 

A TORCH-LIGHT TIME-KEEPER. 

She King, Part 2, Book j, Ode 8. 

HOW goes the night ? the king exclaims ; 
Not midnight yet, for yonder flames, 
Near court-yard gate — the meas'ring torch ! 
Yet, sound of tinkhng bells proclaims, 
My princely men, now, this way march ! 

Again, he cries. How goes the night ? 
'Tis midnight past ; but yet, no light — 
Though paler burns the court-yard torch ! 
My princely men, advance — I hear, 
The measured sound of bells — and near ! 

How goes the night ? once more he cries ! 

The morn, is near — himself, replies ; 

In court-yard smokes the torch, burnt low ! 

My princely men, my eye descries — 

I see their banners, o'er them, too ! 



A 



50 
5EUEN KEANQ. 

PRINCESS AND YOUNG WIDOW. 

Au Ode on her beauty, costume, and conduct. 

She King, Part i, Book 4, Ode j. 

WOMAN, once married, husband living or dead, 
Is mated for life — never more must she wed ! 



With head-dress and cross-pins, and six gems attached, 
All her movements are ease and elegance matched ; 
As a mountain, she's stately — grand as a river — 
Her robes, all pictured, well beseeming her ever ! 

Her dress, pheasant-figured — how rich and how splendid ! 
Her black hair, in masses, like clouds, is extended ! 
To false locks, she stoops not, however well laid — 
See ! her comb-pin of iv'r^^ — her ear-plugs of jade ! 
And forehead so high, and so white, she appears, 
Like goddess, or vis'tant, from heavenly spheres ! 

How gorgeous and fine, is her robe of state, 
Worn, o'er dolichos muslin, of finest make — 
With larger, warmer garment laid aside ! 
Clear are her eyes — her forehead fair and wide — 
Her temples full — ah ! this a woman grand. 
Of all her sex, the beauty of the land ! 

But, O lad}^ ! while guilt your virtue effaces, 

What to do, have you, with these jewels and graces ? 



51 

KiNQ Wan'5 Lonq 5oucjHT Pride. 



Celebrating her Virtues and Welcome to the Palace. 
She King, Part /, Book /, Ode i. 

IN answ'ring notes the Ospreys sing 
Upon the islet in the river ! 
So, for our Prince, let maiden bring 
A heart, as mate, rej;ponding ever 
To virtue, modesty, and diffidence. 

Here, the duck- weed's short; and there 'tis long, 
Borne by the current on either side ; 
So waking, sleeping — in every throng 
Of maidens fair, he sought a bride. 
With virtue, modesty, and diffidence. 

He sought her long, and found her not ; 
But waking, sleeping, she filled his soul 
With constant hope, yet anxious thought, 
Till, restless on his couch he'd roil 
From side to side, or toss, the livelong night ? 

The duck-weed's long and short as well ; 
'Tis gathered, too, on every side ; — 
His mate is found ! brought here to dwell ! 
On lutes, both small and great, the bride 
A friendly welcome, let us each one give ! 

Yes ; duck-weed short and duck-weed long — 

Dress it and pass it, on every side ! 

With bells and drums we'll show how strong 

Is our delight in the youthful bride 

With virtue, modesty, and diffidence ! 



52 



Qewahci Keanq. 

A !"KINC1':SS AND ItRIDlC KiCAClllNr. III^K M(\V IIOMK. 

(. ( lil>i;iliii^ lid i;mU, l)i';iiily, t-quipii^t', aniviil ;ii Wei ; ;in<l the 
vvc-JiUh of 'J's'c, her luilive vStaU'. 

.S7/r A///,i,', /</// /, />(>() A- ji, ()i/t' jf. 

IN Ik'I' rinlnoidiTt'd robe, she was large and tall, 
Willi a plain, sini;lc garinont covering' all 
This daiigliU'r ol" Ur' Maniuis of Ts'c, and the bride 
()rilK' Manjuis of Wei, and elscwisc nobly allied ! 

llcr fingers rcsend)k'd Ih' bhuks of the young white grass ; 
And as ointment congealed, was her skin; like the mass 
Of the Iree-grub, her neck; and regular and white 
As melon seeds, her teeth; her ioithead, broad and bright, 

Resembled the cicada's; while her eye-brows both 
vSeemM like the curved antenn:e of the silk-worm moth ! 
And as she artfullN' smiled, what dimples did arise ! 
'I'he white and black, well marketl, how lovely, too her eyes ! 

And when she, in the cultivated suburbs halted, 
Her tall and noble fornj, her other charms exalted ! 
ller lour steeds, loo, the picture of iH)wer displayed, 
With their biidles, in led and rich trapping arrayed. 



53 

At length, in car, behind her pheasant-feathered screens, 
She, at our Court arrives, 'mid many joyous scenes ! 
Now early retire, ye great officers of vState, 
And fatigue not the Marquis, l)y keeping up late. 

Both deep and wide, the waters of the river Ho, 

Tho' sometimes styled, thro' inundations — China's Woe ! 

In one majestic current, to the northward flow ! 

Therein, 'mid reeds and sedges rank, the nets do fall 

With plashing sound, 'mong shoals of sturgeons great and small ! 

And thus, our lady, like the richness of this stream — 
And Ts'e, itself, the bord'ring country whence she came — 
Was wealth and rank personified, beyond all dream ! 
She'd virgins in her suite, most gorgeously arrayed ; 
While all her body-guard — a martial mein displayed ! 
So now, retire, retire, great officers of State 
And fatigue not the bride, too, by keeping uj) late ! 



54 



A Maiden'5 Flea and Wy\RNiNQ. 



In China the silkworm feeds ou oak and mulberry leaves. These 
leaves are gathered by youug girls ; aud often dogs accompany them 
to the groves and forests as companions and protectors. 

She King, Part /, Book 2, Ode 12. 



IN yonder grove, a cead. antelope lies ; 
While the white grass shrouds it from open skies !' 
But who was the robber of its gentle breath ? 
So, yonder maiden, with thoughts nat'ral to Spring, 
Dreams of love, wedlock, and the joys they bring. 
Whom a gallant would blight, with moral death ! 

In yonder wild, where the scrubby oaks grow, 

Wrapped in the white grass, lies a dead doe ! — 

Though unpitied by slayer, 'tis screened by the weeds I 

So, yonder' s a maid, whose virtue compares 

To a gem — but little her tempter cares, 

Should she die — like the doe — so his lust succeeds. 

" If for wedlock," says maid, " you're seeking my hand, 
Most willing' s my heart ; — but yet, I'll withstand 
All attempts, a maiden unchaste, me to prove ! 
So, slowly — take care — be gentle, I pray ; 
My kerchief, touch not — nor move it away — 
Don't make my dog bite — if truly you love ! " 



55 



I 



Chinese Younq Aan of Rank ; 

A PICTURE OF HIS EFFEMINACY AND CONCEIT. 
She King, Part /, Book 5, Ode 6. 

IKE the weakly branches of the Sparrow-gourd, 
Is yon \'outh, with an iv'ry spike at his side ; 
Yet, by him despised are we, and quite ignored — 
While his spike, he fondles, in his childish pride ! 
How conceited, and easy, his manner is too. 
With the ends of his girdle, hanging down, as they do ! 

Like the frailest leaves, of the same sparrow-gourd 

Is t'other lad there, with an archer's thimble ! 

Yet, he too's, but our peer, though he can afford. 

This sportsman's badge, to carry, at his girdle ! 

How conceited and easy his manner is too, 

With the ends of his girdle hanging down as they do ! 



56 

The Blind Au5ic:ian5. 

She King, Part ^, Book /, Ode 5. 

YONDER, within the court-yard, stand, 
Of Chow's vast temple, quite a band 
Of blind musicians, who, by stroke 
On drums, rich melody evoke — 
And blow, from tubes, in right accord, 
The music offered Heaven's Lord ! 

In rows, extend the wooden frames — 
With face-board carved, and feather' d post- 
Whereon, are hung, in reg'lar lanes, 
Large drums and small — a perfect host — 
Grouped, as to chords, with sounding stoiies 
Bach, giving forth, harmonious tones ! 

Some, mark the time to first begin ; 
Some, when to stop ; while all join in — 
With double flutes, and pan-pipes blown. 
To blend in solemn unison. 
And make the chords, all roll, as one ! 

When thus, the blind musicians come. 
And strike sweet notes on reed, or drum, 
The sounds, not only fill the way — 
The temple's nave — ^its cloisters gray — 
And charm, by Art's complete display, 
All visitors who' re there to hear — 
But reach, as well, Ancestral ear 
And Heaven, too, down bending near ! 



KiNQ Wan'6 Younq Queen. 

A VEKY AKCIEKT ODE, CELEBRATIKG HER IKDUSTRY, DUTI- 
FUINESS, SIMPLE LIFE, AND VISIT TO HER PARENTS. 

She King. Fart i, Book i, Ode 2. 

HOW did the dolichos creepers spread 
Down to the valley's middle bed — 
With all their leaves luxuriant ! 
There, birds of yellow, came and went ; 
And thus, bright hours, daily spent ; 
Or, on thick-growing trees, did throng. 
Resounding far, their pleasant song ! 

See ! how the plant did spread abroad 
Down to the valley's middle sod, 
With all its leaves, so dense and strong ! 
Vines of some I've cut, and boiled long — 
Their fibers spun and wove, with song, 
And made me clothing, coarse and fine, 
And which with pride, I'll wear long time ! 

I've told the Matron ; — she will say, 
To King, the reason, I'm away ; — 
That, filial love, I'm home, to pay ! 
But e'er I go, or take repose, 
I'll cleanse, with care, my private clothes, 
And rinse each robe, excepting those 
That pure are found — and then I'll start 
To see the dear ones of my heart ! 



5S 

Ode to Tae^ze, the Southern Queen. 

As sung by the ladies of the harem, recounting her freedom from 
jealousy, and their attachment to her person and fortunes 

T^T 7ITH the branches, curved and drooping, 
\/\/ There are many Southern trees ; 

While around them, closely clinging, 
Creepers dolichos, one sees ! 

So, in our princely lady, 
We unitedly rejoice , 
Rest we, in her dignity — 
In the union of her choice ! 

Curved and drooping are the branches 
Of the many Southern trees ; 
Covered are they, as each fancies- 
Just as twining creepers please ! 
So rejoicingly, we rest 
In our princely lady's love ; 
May her happiness be best — 
She in highest stations move ! 

With the branches curved and drooping, 

In the South, are many trees ; 

While around them, all are twining. 

Creepers dolichos, with ease ! 

So rejoicingly we twine 

'Round our princely lady's heart ; — 

May her happiness combine 

To make her dignity complete ! 



59 



Teacmer'5 Advice T2 Pupils. 

GIVEN NEARI^Y 2,000 YEARS AGO. 

[Boys, iu China, at the early age of seven, begin to memorize the 
book characters, which represent ideas, and not letters of an alphabet. 
The following is an extract from the boys' first book, called the " Tri- 
nietrical Classic." ] 

1 Lly men, at birth, by nature are most good ; 
j-\ But, as they grow, in practice, the}^ diverge I 
'Tis all the trend of culture — not of blood — 
Of precepts, v^^hich the teachers strictl}^ urge ! 

When Mencius was a boy, and did not learn, 
His mother, made her home, most near his school ! 
Once, weaving, she the web destroyed, so deep did burn 
Her shame, for fear her son might be a fool ! 

To nurture, and not educate, his sons, 

Soon proves, what danger, ev'ry father runs! 

Active, should teachers be ; indeed, severe. 

With boys who will not learn, or do their best ; 

For, if they study not, in this the year 

Of Youth, what wall they know, in Manhood's test ? 

As gems unwrought, no useful ends subserve, 

So men, untaught, ne'er right and wrong, observe 1 



6o 

Three Pow'rs there are; Heav'n, Earth, and Man, well known: 
Three Lights there are — Sun, Moon, and Stars — well shown ; 
Three Bonds there are— which bind the States as one ; — 
Justice 'tween Prince, and all who rule with him ; — 
Affection 'twixt a father and his son ; — 
Concord, in homes, 'mong all who dwell therein ! 

Humanity and Right ; Wisdom and Truth ; 
Rules of Propriety, which smooth our ways ; — 
These card'nal virtues, must we learn in youth, 
And keep distinct, and practice, all our days ! 

Rice, millet, pulse, wheat, sorghum, barley grist, 
The six grains are, on which most men subsist ! 
So, too, these moral duties — numb'ring ten. 
Are ever binding 'mongst our fellow men ! — 

Affection, common, of the father, and the son ; 
Elder brother's kindness ; respect, of younger one ; 
Concord sweetest, 'twixt husband and the wife ; 
'Tween seniors, juniors, never any strife ; 
Friendships complete, among associates ; 
Princes, regard to pay to men of all estates ; 
While, loyally, each officer reciprocates ! 

The ancient Sages, to be truly wise, 
Did study hard ! Confucius won the prize. 
Through Hi-ang-Toh, his teacher, when a boy ! 
Chau, Minister of State — in high employ — 
Did spend much time in reading o'er and o'er 
The great Confucian Dialogues — and more ! 



6i 

Some sages, lessons copied, on thin reeds ; 
Others, on hardened, polished bamboo slips ; 
When books were lacking — in their earnest needh — 
They stored up knowledge from frail human lips ! 

When destitute of guides, still, on they'd go ; 

Some, read b}" glow-worm's light, and some, by snow ! 

Though often, very poor, they learned their tasks with zeal ; 

One, carried fagots on his back, while in his hand 

He held his book — and studied, as he earned each meal ! 

Another, as he plowed, or harrowed, fallow land. 

To his cow's horn, did tie his book, and read. 

While toiling, far-a-field, the wor:!s before him spread ! 

Su-Lau-Tsien, when past his twenty-seventh year. 

First bent his mind to books ; and often dropped a tear 

In his old age, to think what chances he'd let slip — 

When he was but a boy — of, O ! so many a sip 

In Learning's Spring ! — so, mind you, lads, as you read here, 

What study yields ; — drink early, and without a fear ! 

Behold ripe Li-ang-Han ! — at eighty-two — still tall 

There standing, 'midst grand scholars, in the Imperial Hall, 

And bearing off the highest prizes of them all ! 

Yun, when only eight, could even then, recite th' Odes ! 

And Pi, at seven, could play at Chess, in highest modes ! 

So Tsi-Wan-Ki, on lute, guitar, could deftly play ; 
And Sei-Tan-Wan could chant, and sweetly sing a la}' ; 
And though, but girls, of tender age — ere beauty blooms — 
Were bright and well informed — the pride of happy homes ! 



62 

Then I^ee of Tang, when aged but seven years, 

With marv'lous skill could form our wondrous written speech 

Bach stroke, correctly draw — and elder pupils teach ! 

He, soon, was high advanced ! So banish fears ; — 

IvCt hope inspire you all, to like position reach ! 

If these, I've named, both young and old, could merit win, 
Then, surely you, my lads, should early now, begin ! 
Dogs watch by night ; the cock announces well the morn ! 
But boys, to know, must learn — knowledge is never born ! 
The silkworm spins the silk ; the bee, the honey makes ; 
If boys neglect to learn — below the brute, their states ! 
He, who, in youth, doth learn to wisely act, when grown 
His influ'nce wide extends ; — b}^ Princes he's well known I 
His parents, honored are ; — Faiie, claims him, as her own ! 
Far back, his line ancestral, feels this glow of fame — 
While all posterity shall share his worthy name ! 

Some, for their offspring leave, strong coffers, filled with gold; 
While I, to teach the young, bequeath this little book ! 
Remember, then, my lads, what I have clearly told — 
That Study is, to genius, kin — so do not look. 
In sloth, for profit ; or, in idle play, reward ; — 
I^et ev'ry power be roused — be ever on your guard ! 



63 
QlRLHOOD KeC0LLECT10N5. 

Whereiu a young married lady, far from her early home, recounts, 
to a friend, her regrets, longings, and the memories of past da3-s — a 
touching and simple ode of ancient China. 

She King, Part i, Book 5, Ode 5. 

WHILE, with long and tap'ring bamboo reeds, 
You angle in the waters of the Kee, 
My thought of you, all other thoughts, exceeds 
And. gladl}^, quickly, by your side would be — 
But I'm too far away, to go to thee ! 

Upon your left, the stream of Hundred Springs ! 
Upon your right, the waters of the Kee ! 
But what, are now, these pleasant streams to me. 
Since wedlock, duties new, to maiden brings ? — 
Brothers, she leaves, and parents, equally ! 

The waters of the Kee, are on your right — 

The stream of Hundred Springs, the leftward, hems ! 

On either bank, see walking maidens bright ! 

How shine, through artful smiles, their teeth so white, 

How move, to measured steps, their girdle gems ! 

The waters of the Kee ! How smooth they flow ! 

Behold the boats of pine — each cedar oar ! 

O ! to its banks, in carriage could I go 

To ramble, as in girlhood, there, once more— 

My grief, 'twould banish — and my heart restore ! 



64 



The DRoaQHT- 

KlN(; SKUICN'S HXI'OSTUI.ATION WITH IlKAVKN- 

She Kiiii^, Ode ./. Decade of 7\inq;, Soo />. C. 

SHINING, revolving in the sky, 
Iki^lit, was yonder Milky Way — 
Witli not one clond to greet the eye, 
The blessed rain, to prophesy — 
When King, in angnish, thus did pray ! 
" What crime, alas ! is charged on high. 
Against nie, now, that Heaven sends 
Disorders down ? -and Death, that rends 
So many homes, through famine's scourge. 
And all ancestral l)lessing, ends ? 
There are no pleas I would not urge ; 
There are no victims, I would spare ; 
No maces, tokens, still unlaid ! — 
Once more, I lift my earnest prayer — 
Why heeds, no god, the rites, I've paid ? 

I^xcessive is the Drought ! Its heat 

More fervent and tormenting grows ! 

Daily, and, with most willing feet. 

From liorder Altars to the rows 

Of Tablets, in Ancestral Fane, 

I've gone — choice off' rings bearing there. 

To Pow'rs above and Pow'rs mundane ; 



65 

And last, have buried them, with care [ 
To Earth, I've not, nor, to the vSkies, 
Neglected one pure sacrifice ! 
No Spirit, have I honored not — 
IIow-Tseih, not even, once, forgot. 
Though he would no attention spare ; — 
While God, himself, heeds not my prayer f 
Alas ! this vScourge, in ev'ry home, 
That blasts and wastes our Land so fair — 
I would, it fell on me, alone ! 

Excessive is the Drought ! May I, 

The One Man, no excuses, try ! 

Like clap of thunder, or its roll — 

Terror and perils fill my soul, 

Lest, of Chow's remnant, left secure, 

Among the black-hairecfRace and pure, 

Scarcely one, shall long endure ! 

No more will God, from His great Heaven, 

In righteousness, exempt me, even ! 

So, all our fears, let each one share ; 

Thus, common sympathies, increase ; — 

Join, too, with me, in my despair. 

Lest all my rights, ancestral, cease ! 

Excessive is the Drought ! The heat 
Can not be checked ; for it doth beat 
So fiercely — with such fiery rays. 
No shelter, can I find ! My days 



66 

Are near their end ; and none, have I, 

To whom, to look, or raise one cry ! 

Princes and Ministers of Stale, 

Who ancient ruled — long passed on high — 

Help not — but leave me to my fate ! 

Ye Parents ' late removed from us, 

How can ye bear to see me, thus ? 

Excessive is the Drought ! The hills 

All parched are ! The springs and rills 

And streams are dried ! Meanwhile, throughout 

The land, this awful Demon Drought, 

Extends his rule, unchecked and dire. 

As though he scattered flames of fire ! 

This heat, with terror, makes us start — 

While deepest sorrow fills my heart. 

To think of all, iia low estate, 

Whom I can not alleviate ; — 

I would, that I could abdicate ! 

Excessive is the Drought ! With will, 

I struggle ; and I fear to flee, 

While duty claims ni}^ service still ; — 

Though, what the cause, I can not see, 

Or why, this Drought afllicteth me ! 

In praying for a prosp'rous year, 

I, at all Altars, did appear. 

At earliest time, to sacrifice 

To Spirits of the Border I^and, 

Where shrines, at card'nal points, arise [ 



67 

Prompt, rev' rent, as I thus did stand, 
Owning these Knowing Ones of God — 
I ought to've had, a helping hand, 
Or else, been guarded from their rod ; 
Yet, He who dwells, serene in Heav'n, 
No single thought to me hath given ! 

^Excessive is the Drought ! The bonds 

Of Government no longer hold ! 

My highest Minister desponds ; 

And in most wild confusion, rolled, 

Are servants all ! One common call. 

From Master of the Horse — the chief 

Of Guards, Cuisine, Attendants all, 

Is heard, and that is, Quick relief ! 

Though helpless, now, those near my throne 

Have struggled hard, for ev'ry one, 

Till all, a common fate, did own ! 

Up to the azure Heav'n, I cry — 
Why, in such sorrow, plunged, am I ? 
But still, the stars, they sparkle bright — 
No answer give, through all the night ; 
And when, at length, there's dawn of day, 
They grow but dim — and fade awa}- ! 

Ye officers, supreme ; and men 

Of worth, who, in humilit}^. 

With all your pow'ers and all your ken. 



68 

Have drawn to Heav'n near — but see, 
Death only present to your eyes — 
Cast not away, your faith, that cries ; 
But still look up, and call ! 
Seek, but one common favor there — 
One common answer to our prayer — 
Bless Sovereign, Throne and People all ! ' 



The WoRLb'j ThREE Qreat Pellj. 

I. 

You've heard of the Bell, in old Moscow, 
That once did hang in wall'd Kremlin, 
To ring out prophecies to men. 
Of what was Muscove's dream and vow 
Of Empire — and of Faith, as well ? 
Few, were its voices ; e're it fell. 
And broke, in fragments, on the ground I 
But, from sad wreck, rose second bell ; 
That, too, lies prostrate — silent now — 
Was fractured, e're it breathed one sound ! 
So, other Bell, must yet be cast. 
To strike the Epoch, Peter ask'd, 
When Russia, on the Bosphorus — 
With Cossacks, and the Grecian Cross — 
Should hold the key — and for the Rus — 
To dominate Europa's world ! 



^9 



2. 

You've heard of the Bell, near Mandalay, 
Which rivals that of Muscovite ? 
'Twas cast in Burma's ancient day, 
When grand conceptions had full play, 
And Buddha's cult, was in its might ! 
Twelve cubits tall, it, tow'ring, stands — 
With rim of thirty — marv'lous sight — 
Vast instrument, in Indian hands, 
To sound the praise of Asia's Light, 
Whose wondrous power, defective seems. 
To us who bask in purer beams 
Of Light Divine, in Christian Lands ! 

Account for it, as how j^ou ma}^ 

The ancient Faiths have had their day ; — 

Emasculate, the States they sway — 

No longer, masterful, are the}^ : 

Or lead in Empire's chief pathway ! 

Already, some have lost their power ; 

Others, but wait th' inev' table hour 

When the}^ our Master, must obey — 

Or Nations, whom His truth helps mould ! 

Thus, sceptre passed from Burma's King ; 

And Buddha's Bell, no more doth ring^ 

To strong, defend — or freedom, bring ! 

Its tongue, to-day, is mute ; and prone 

It lies — down shaken from its throne 

By earthquake's force from under- world — 

On bank of Irrawaddy, hurled ! 



70 



You've heard of the Bell, in far Peking — 

Though cent'ries old, that still doth ring, 

As when Spain's Ferdinand was King, 

And brave Columbus, westward sailed ? 

In temple hung, near city wall — 

And peer of Moscow Bell — and all — 

And bright, and sound, as when first cast — 

Its deep-toned notes, now daily call — 

As Emp'ror called, in ages past — 

Or, when the Cross, first. New World hailed I 



Within — without — embossed are seen — 
In myriad characters they gleam 
O'er all its face, in Art supreme, 
The Prayers to Buddha ; and when moved 
By touch from swinging wooden beam, 
Quiver its lips ; and hearts are soothed 
By tones, that 'bove all else prevail — 
Na-6mi-fah — Great Buddha hail ! 



But while this Bell goes ringing on — 
Bach Cent'ry, striking — soon as passed — 
Thy Creeds, old China ! Will they last ? 
' 'A question fair ; so be this known ; — 
' 'Ancestral Worship, millions own ; 



71 

"And while, Tao-ism, somewnat wanes ; 

"Confucius, Master, still remains ; 

" And Buddha's shrines fill all my plains, 

" Though Cross and Crescent show some gains ! 



Yet, at thy ancient Gates — and hung 
When those of Thebes were still unswung- 
O mighty Realm of black-haired Race, 
There now are strugg'ling in, apace. 
The master Forces of our times — 
Be the}^ Christian — or Worldly, charged ! 
Sooner, or later, they must win — 
With all the Arts of Western Climes, 
And make thee, like Japan, enlarged, 
By modern progress, knowledge, sin ! 



But e'er thy Bell, so eloquent — 

Is fractured, or b}^ earthquake rent ;— 

Or foreign Intercourse hath spent 

Its varied powers, vast change to brin< 

In Middle Kingdom — Heaven blent — 

This is my prayer, to Shang-Te, sent- 

May yet its voice, outspoken ring, 

And glad Evangel, to all sing 

In Jesu's name, in far Peking ! 



72 



A rejTAL ObE. 

Simg at the King's banquet, iti honor of his Ministers and Princes 
from the Feudal vStates. 

She King, Part 2, Book i, Ode i. 

The watchful deer, while in the fields are feeding, 

Not only chew the crisp wild celery ; 

But in soft sounds, of only Nature's teaching, 

Call, unto one another pleasantl}^ ! 

So, here, I've noble guests, who quickh^ catch and own 
Responsive calls — yet careful, in all doubtful things ; 
For them, the lutes are struck — the organs, too, are blown — 
And blown, till all their tongues are full of quiverings ! 
For them, are baskets, heaped high, with offerings ; 
And while they bless me, for my gifts of love, 
The Perfect Path, to me, they'll try to prove ! 

In answ'ring notes, while in the fields are browsing 
On sweet salso'a, deer, each other call ! 
Kind Nature's voices, ever are they heeding — 
Mother ! — she speaks, one language, to us all ! 

So, here, I've charming guests, for whom, alone are yielding 

The lutes and organs all, the most harmon'ous sounds ; 

And while the music sweet, in willing ears, is stealing — 

And each responds to every kindly greeting — 

Let loving cup, pass freely on its friendly rounds ! 

All, my guests, you are ! And for this festive meeting, 

I've wines, so choice, that cheer shall have the amplest bounds ! 



73 



Princeton Bells. 



1843, Sept. 25, 1893 



I hear the BMls of Princeton ring, 
This mellow, ripa September day— 
The Bells that happy memories bring 
From out the Past — there stored away ; 
Of friendships, struggles, triumphs won ; 
Of dreams of love, and duty done, 
Though now my race is well-nigh run, 
And leagues in distance is the town 
Where once I donned the college gown ! 

I hear the Bells of Princeton ring 
With all their old-time call and swing 
As years agone, in autumn days — 
Thro' oaks and elms, and sunset rays, 
Their tones did first ni}^ coming sing ! 
Once more I walk 'long shady ways — 
'Mid Indian summer's sheen and haze, 
In parks all dressed in leafy blaze 
Of colors bright as fancy flung 
O'er manhood's life when I was young ! 

I hear the Bells of Princeton ring — 
The bells that daily duties bring ! 



74 

I join the crowds that throng the walks — 
Share college games, cheers, songs and talks 

Of athlete, scholar, poler, drone — 
I gaze where Art and Science dwell 
In fanes and groves which blend so well 

That fairer scene is nowhere shown ! 

Thro' academic halls, unknow^n 
I move, or sit, as in my youth. 

At feet of teachers, broadly grown, 
But holding still the torch of Truth ! 

Dear Bells of Princeton ! ye that rung 
Glad welcome to our Washington 
When British cannon shook the town, 
And gallant Mercer won his crown — 
That rung when in old Nassau Hall 

Our infant Congress met : and fell 
From chieftain's lips to soldiers all - 

A nation's thanks and sad farewell — 
That rung thro' all the changing years 
Of peace and war, of joy and tears. 
When Princeton men, at Country's cry. 
To save her life did dare to die — 
Ring on for ages more, and greet 
The 3^ouths who'll throng this classic seat 
Where lycarning and Religion mate 
To build the home, the church, the state ! 

Washington, Sept. 25, 1893. 



75 



The Capitol, 



[Au historical and patriotic poem, instituting a parallel 
between the building of the Parthenon at Athens, and the 
completion of our Capitol at Washington during the Civil 
War.] 



WHIIyK Greece was thrilled with war's alarms, 
And oft-times felt the shock of arms, 
Yet, faith so swayed her noblest men — 
Such high ideals ruled them then, 
That, to express in marble, this — 
The soul's bright dream, and synthesis — 
At Athens, on the Acropolis, 
' Mid wealth of temples reared thereon — 
Arose, serene, that edifice — 
Minerva's shrine, wherein she shone 
In iv'r}', gold, with aegis on — 
Symbol of wisdom, safety, bliss — 
The matchless Fane — the Parthenon. 

While being built, this master-piece 
Of art, for Athens and for Greece — 
Though w^ars and civic strifes occurred 
That touched each home — all passions stirred. 
Naught checked the work, or caused surcease — 
Artists, art' sans, toiled on in peace. 



76 

Amid the click of chisels heard — 

And grate of saws, that cut the rock — 

And scour of sands, that polish brought — 

And ring of trow' Is, that mortars laid — 

And stroke of drills, that sockets made — 

And swing of cranes, that poised each block 

For fitting place, by Attic word 

Of Ictinus, and all who wrought 

This marble poem — replete with thought — 

Oft, to those sacred heights, there climbed, 

Athenians, to muse, inclined — 

While portents filled the public mind 

By rumor, or by courier brought, 

As when Greek shores the Persians lined, 

And on this Hill, sad havoc wrought. 

While speculation filled their souls — 

Both, as to what the future holds. 

And artists mean — they wond'ring gazed. 

To view vast Doric columns raised, 

With sculptured frieze, and architrave, 

To place designed, from base to nave — 

And firm believed, that all this sum 

Of beauty, strength, and unity — 

Above the city's restless hum 

And warring strifes on land and .sea — 

Was but the type of days to come — 

A silent, marble prophecy — 

What Greece, at length, in life, would be. 



77 

So, on yon Hill, there stands sublime, 
For all the coming years of time — 
In marble raised — with Dome's grand line, 
The Capitol ! Our country's shrine — 
The fountain of her laws — the spot 
Where States and People share one lot, 
And build for ages and their race, 
A Union strong, in right, and grace. 

Like former Fane, by Persians burned — 

Who scaled those Heights — all protests spurned- 

Where Parthenon was yet to rise 

To hold, in awe, Athenian eyes, 

And win, for art, the world's surprise — 

Our early Capitol once earned. 

Or suffer'd, sim'l ir shame and fate, 

Through broad Potomac's unlocked gate. 

Such outrage gave, in either case. 
Fair warning of the country's state — 
Her ill defense — her life's weak lease — 
Gave cause for struggle, in the race 
Of empire — not, in arts of peace. 

Then came that sea-fight of the Hellenes, 
When Greece emerged, at Salamis, 
And Xerxes' host sank down the abyss ; 
When first did guide and rule Themistocles, 



78 

Who, hopes inspired, and better daj^s ; 
When temples rose by Mnesicles, 
To lift men's thoughts from earth to skies- 
More, Countr}^ love ; mere death, despise ; 
When* Phidias wrought in iv'ry, gold, 
And made the Parian marble mould 
His brightest dreams ; when Pericles 
Helped sweep all foes from Grecian seas, 
And swayed the "fierce Democratie " 
Who oft-times chafed to be free — 
Fresh crowned, w^as then, the Acropolis 
By Parthenon, completed there, 
'Mid solemn rites and prophecies — 
By grand processions and by prayer 
To gods unseen, but ever}^ where — 
When first began, that brightest page 
Of classic Greece — her Golden Age. 

No words can paint those wondrous da3^s 
When Art and Skill, 'mid world's amaze, 
With Nature vied ! When, too, the range 
Of culture, both in body, brain. 
Was highest known ; and when — not strange- 
Vast fortunes went to build, maintain. 
What e'er was best for public good ;— 
For worship, shrines ; and schools, to train 
Sound bodies; — and, sound minds, sustain ; 
While beauty, truth, in symbols stood 
In temple, grove, street, neighborhood 



79 

To charm the eye — to soul, give food, 
And teach Perfection's final reign ! 

So, too, mid civil war, and change. 
In this our I^and and Age, a strange 
New life did dawn; with hints and keys 
To marv'lous possibilities 
In martial strength, on land and seas — 
In culture, growth, material pelf — 
And all that makes a Commonwealth ! 

Then quarries, mines, rock-wells and soil, 
Streams, forests, seas, rewarded toil — 
E'en in the midst of War's turmoil ! 
Then, tread of people — not the tramp 
Of armies into fight, or camp — 
On all high-ways ; the roar of trains 
Past where th' Settler's hearth-fire flames ; 
The fall of timber; rush, in mains, 
Of waters, irrigating plains ; 
The sowing, reaping — all else — told 
Which way, the peaceful conquerors went 
In quest of homes and honest gold ; 
While sounds of saws, axe, hammer, drill, 
Forge, anvil, engine, factory, mill, 
Were all, in one vast paean, blent ! 

Then, schools increased; and God was owned 
In waj^s He'd taught — and doth prefer — 
By service, and o'er life, enthroned ! 
Then, all His works, close studied were, 



8o 

By queries, tests, till secrets known, 

Made man — so ripe, in knowledge grown • 

Of Nature, priest, interpreter ! 

Then, Science, too, turned many facts, 

And forces, elements, to acts 

For human aid, and enterprise ! 

Old truths, came fresh, in many a guise — 

In marble, bronze, in Art's surprise — 

In Type, electric force, and all the ways 

Inventive genius, power and mind, displa3'S 



Then, woman's sphere was fully owned — 
Whose deeds, were in all hearts enthroned — 
As that, where e'er she chose to shine — 
To win her bread — to love incline — 
Her Country, serve, or Home's sweet shrine, 
With purity and truth enzoned ! 



In meeting vast emergencies — 

In finance, war, supplies, and men ; — 

In bearing deep anxieties, 

When hopes rose high, and sank again, 

All thoughts were quickened, broadened, charged 

With power, — and life itself, enlarged ! 

In serving, sufF'ring, dying, too — 

Till then, in Hist'ry read — though true — 

Our Nation woke to juster days. 



8i 

To nobler aims, and purposes — 
And proved it most in striking gyves, 
By I^incoln's Pen, from million slaves ! 

In all those trying times, when few 
The Epoch grasped— its issues knew 
Or even guessed — yet strong and clear, 
Were Country's claims — her Symbols dear ! 

Of all the visible things that spoke 

Through sense, to heart and mind, and woke 

Past memories — inspired new hope — 

Next to "Old Glory," the Capitol 

Stood for the Law's supreme control ; — 

Stood for the Nation's heart and soul 

Through sons, there sent, by sovereign will, 

To vote, responsive to the call 

Of millions, in their far-off homes — 

" The Flag — -th' Union, save, whatever conies ! 

As months went on, the Capitol 
Became, indeed, a shrine, to all — 
By what our sires and sons did brave 
To guard its walls — its city, save ; 
By all the treasure, lives they gave ; 
By all the Patriots gathered there — 
Firm bound by oaths, and Nation's prayer 
To make that Symbol, all men own, — 
Though many States, in Country, One ! 



82 

'Twas then, to thwart, or make this good — 
According to men's faith and mood, 
That, far away, and round it, surged — 
Within its Halls — in fielded tents — 
Not most, impassioned eloquence. 
But tides of war, when strong States urged, 
By deeds, not words, their last appeal — 
Their fixed resolve, and final vote — 
And hurled them from the cannon's throat- 
Flag of azure Field, its stars, blot out ! 
Down Pillars of the Commonweal ! 
Ties break, once forged by blood and steel ! 
Fall Fane, our fathers work'd upon ! — 
Not temple made with hands — 'mid strife — 
But nobler far, than Parthenon — 
The Fabric of our Nation's I^ife ! 



Oft, in those years, on sunny days. 
And through mid- winter's coldest rays, 
I climbed the Hill, where Architect 
And Sculptor wisely did direct 
Deft Artisans, whose toil alone 
Brought life and beauty from the stone I 
'Twas there, I watched the Drama play 
Of Temple-growth and sad delay 
Of Vict' ry till the heart grew sick ; 
And while brave men had cause for fear. 
Scoffers exclaimed, ' ' What folly here \ 



83 

Why finish, now, this useless Fane? — 

'Tis doom'd ! and ended, Freedom's reign ! — 

Elsewhere, we'll build her shrine again! " 

'Twas then, I heard, with chisel's click — 

And mallet's blow — and engine's beat 

That helped to polish, grind, complete, 

Or lift vast marbles to their seat — 

Not far away, the pick's dull stroke — 

The barrow's creak — the spade's sharp work— 

The army wagon's rumbling sounds — 

The blare of trumpets — roll of drums — 

The tramp of troops and cavalry, 

Where hoofs and sabres rattled free 

With wheels of grim artillery ! 

'Twas then I heard — and puffs could set — 

The rifle's crack — the cannon's roar — 

The bugle's call, or else the pour 

Of strains of martial music o'er 

The camps of armed men from ev'ry home — 

On guard of Starry Flag, and more — 

Almost in sight of lofty Dome ! 

'Twas then the chain of forts was raised 
On lofty hills, for miles around — 
With cannon bristling on each mound — 
To shield, from loss, what Nation prized — 
The Fed'ral City, temple-crowned ! 



84 

Once onl}^ when the tide of war 

Swept northward o'er the Keystone State, 

And reached high-water mark on bar 

At •Gettysburgh — then ebbed afar, 

And sealed past hope, Confed'rate fate — 

Once only, then, when deem'd off-guard, 

And Fed'ral army-bolts unbarred, 

There thundered at her iron gates — 

And nearly won an entrance there — 

The dashing foe from leagued States — 

Brave Early, with his sabres bare ! 

'Tvvas then, great Lincoln, watching, stood 

On parapet of Stevens, waving arm — 

Saw Wheaton charge, 'mid dust and blood, 

And save the Capitol from harm ! 

Yet, in those days, as God did give 
Ideals high, for which to strive — 
And while the Republic fought to live — 
And all her foes were most alive — 
The work went on, as Greece had led — 
Since faith and iron will were wed — 
And grew in beauty, form, and scope, 
While thousands gazed, and felt new hope. 

But e'en before, blest Peace was come — 
Or we had buried all our dead — 
And welcomed ev'ry soldier home — 



85 

Our tars, from waters fresh, or brine — 
The statel3^ marble wings had spread — 
Corinthian columns stood in line — 
The lofty steps and porticos, 
Frcm firm, wide base to summit rose. 
Till apex crowned the grand design — 
Fit tj^pe of Nation's mighty pose ! 

Now, on its terraces I stand — 
A generation gone ! — our I^and 
Fraternal, solving problems grand — 
And view, enrapt, the landscape green 
Of distant hills and river sheen — 
With matchless monument between — 
One glorious sweep of verdure seen ! 

Look ! where thick trees on ev'ry hand, 
O'er arch, like groined Gothic aisles, 
The noble streets that distant run, 
Embow'ring homes and stately piles — 
Fair dress, and charm of Washington I 

lyO, through yon leafy avenues — 
Above all snowy marble views — 
And far beyond entablature 
Of sculptured frieze and pillars pure — 
Upon a Dome — self-poised on high — 
And calmly resting 'gainst the sk}^ — 



86 

Cast in hard bronze — to long endure — 

A Goddess stands, and firm enthroned — 

Heaven-born, her soul — and blood atoned — 

Who symbolized more to us 

Of glor}' , joy, peace, blessedness, 

Than Greek Minerva's followers found — 

Liberty ! — by freemen won, and crowned ! 




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